Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that had been made known to them.
We may here observe, I. How the people were wounded with the words of the law that were read to them. The law works death, and speaks terror, shows men their sins, and their misery and danger because of sin, and thunders a curse against every one that continues not in every part of his duty.
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:9-12
And all the people went their way to eat and to drink,.... Freely and cheerfully: and to send portions; to the poor, who had nothing to eat and drink: and to make great mirth; with music, vocal and instrumental: because they had understood the words that were declared unto them; the meaning of the several laws read and explained unto them, whereby they better understood...
THE PEOPLE COMFORTED. (Neh 8:9-15) This day is holy unto the Lord . . . mourn not, nor weep--A deep sense of their national sins, impressively brought to their remembrance by the reading of the law and its denunciations, affected the hearts of the people with penitential sorrow.
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:9-15